eznews.inOn Audit Day, Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) K Sanjay Murthy announced a revitalization of the audit of Urban Local Governments, highlighting the need for improved urban living conditions as over half of India's population is expected to reside in cities by 2047. The audit will focus on infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and local economic growth in 101 major cities, aiming to provide actionable insights for over 400 million urban residents. Additionally, Murthy outlined plans for a comprehensive audit of India's multi-modal transport and logistics systems, particularly the Indian Railways, to reduce logistics costs from 13-14% to single digits, enhancing competitiveness for exporters. The C&AG also introduced the CAG-Connect Portal for real-time connectivity with audit entities and announced a pan-India audit of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) to support educational progress. Other initiatives include audits on Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs, focusing on user-friendly processes and grievance redressal. 
Published: Nov 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is promoting the use of nano fertilizers during the Rabi sowing season to mitigate the supply issues of conventional fertilizers, as demand surges alongside an increase in cultivated land. Sales data from early November indicate significant rises in urea, DAP, MOP, and complex fertilizers compared to last year, with the area under cultivation expanding by 27% to over 130 lakh hectares. Despite government efforts, including a meeting led by Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, farmers remain hesitant to adopt nano technology, contrasting with its acceptance in countries like the US. Fertilizer cooperative IFFCO, which developed nano technology, is encouraging farmers to treat seeds with nano fertilizers, citing potential benefits. However, skepticism persists, with some farmers opting for cautious trials. IFFCO aims to boost nano fertilizer sales significantly, asserting that these products could revolutionize India's agricultural practices by enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has urged the Railway Board to supply additional wagons for its truck-on-train (ToT) service, which facilitates the transport of trucks and milk tankers on specially designed wagons. Launched on September 18, 2023, along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, the service operates between Rewari in Haryana and Palanpur in Gujarat, significantly cutting transportation costs, time, and air pollution. Currently, 30 trucks, primarily milk tankers from an Amul dairy, are transported daily, reducing travel time from 30 hours to just 12. DFCCIL officials noted that while the service is currently using Bogie Rail Wagons, a specially designed Flat Multi-Purpose (FMP) wagon is in production, with deliveries expected next year. The ToT model is seen as a transformative solution for logistics, addressing challenges like road congestion and enhancing drivers' working conditions while reducing carbon emissions.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA recent paper from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES) underscores the interconnectedness of global energy markets, revealing that supply crises in one region can trigger price spikes elsewhere. The report highlights the potential shift towards local currencies in trade by major players like India, China, and Russia, particularly if the US dollar's stability wanes. It critiques the Trump administration's politicisation of energy, suggesting it may hinder market growth as countries seek to reduce reliance on imports and develop domestic alternatives. The US is projected to dominate global LNG supply growth, yet its aggressive foreign policy could politicise trade, deterring long-term buyers. Meanwhile, Qatar aims to maintain a competitive edge with its low-cost LNG offerings. The paper also notes that the rise of alternative energy sources poses challenges for natural gas, which, despite its critical role, faces competition that could undermine its strategic importance in the future.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant move for farmers in Tamil Nadu, the state government has extended the deadline for samba crop insurance to November 30, 2025, from the previous date of November 15. Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam announced that this extension will benefit farmers in 27 districts, including Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, and Madurai, who have yet to insure their samba crops. Currently, samba paddy cultivation spans 26.25 lakh acres, with 6.27 lakh farmers having insured 15 lakh acres, representing 57% of the total cultivated area. The extension is attributed to delays caused by Northeast monsoon rains affecting land preparation and transplantation activities. The government aims to ensure that all farmers can access this insurance scheme, with applications available through Common Service Centers, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies, and Nationalised Banks.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's retail market is poised for a significant transformation, projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, according to a report by Fireside Ventures. This growth is fueled by increasing disposable incomes, rapid digital adoption, and a burgeoning aspirational class. The report highlights a major shift in retail dynamics, with traditional general trade expected to decline from over 90% in 2014 to around 70% by 2030, as modern trade, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer brands gain prominence. Notably, digital-native brands are expanding at two to three times the rate of traditional retailers, driven by data-led innovation and enhanced customer engagement. The analysis identifies diverse consumer segments, emphasizing the potential of both urban and rural markets. By 2030, India is anticipated to have 1.1 billion internet users and over 400 million online shoppers, marking a historic opportunity for consumption growth in the country.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 10 ameznews.inA low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal, off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, has led to heavy rainfall primarily affecting the region, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Despite the formation of this system, global agencies have assessed the likelihood of a tropical storm developing at only 10-20 percent. The IMD forecasts isolated very heavy rainfall for Tamil Nadu over the next two days, with additional heavy rain expected in south Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on Monday. As the low-pressure system moves west-northwest towards southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala, light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are anticipated across several regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While earlier predictions suggested a higher chance of storm formation, current assessments indicate a reduced threat, although meteorological conditions remain dynamic.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia, the second-largest buyer of Russian oil, spent €2.5 billion on crude from Moscow in October, maintaining the same level as September, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). This comes as the US imposed sanctions on major Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil to curb funding for the Ukraine war, prompting companies like Reliance Industries to halt imports. In October, India imported a total of €3.1 billion in Russian fossil fuels, with crude oil making up 81% of that figure. Following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India significantly increased its Russian oil imports, which now account for nearly 40% of its total crude imports. The Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, now under EU sanctions, ramped up production to 90% in October, solely sourcing crude from Russia. Meanwhile, imports from sanctioning countries fell, while Australia and the US saw increases in their imports of Russian oil products.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's coal imports surged by 13.54% in September, reaching 22.05 million tonnes (mt), driven by heightened demand ahead of the festive season. This marks an increase from 19.42 mt in the same month last year. Notably, coking coal imports, crucial for the steel industry, rose to 4.50 mt from 3.39 mt a year ago, while non-coking coal imports slightly increased to 13.90 mt. For the April-September 2025 period, coking coal imports climbed to 31.54 mt, up from 28.18 mt, despite a decline in non-coking coal imports. Vinaya Varma, MD & CEO of mjunction services, attributed the rise to pre-festive stockpiling by buyers and anticipated winter demand from steel mills. While India aims to reduce its reliance on coal imports through increased domestic production, the need for high-grade thermal and coking coal remains, highlighting the ongoing balance between self-sufficiency and import dependence.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inInvestments in physically-backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by Indian investors surged in October, ranking third globally, according to the World Gold Council. Indian ETF investments reached $2.91 billion by November 7, with $849.8 million inflows recorded in October alone, accounting for a third of the year's total. In contrast, investors in the UK and Germany exited the market, with outflows of $3.5 billion and $1.17 billion, respectively. The US led global investments with $6.33 billion in October, followed by China at $4.51 billion. Despite a record high of $4,381.58 per ounce on October 17, gold prices have since declined, impacting investor sentiment. The WGC noted that geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties have driven demand for gold, with ETFs playing a crucial role in the market's dynamics. Overall, gold ETF holdings stood at 3,895 tonnes as of November 7, nearing the peak levels seen in late 2020.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 9 am
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